Comfort Floors

By Janet Herlihy*

When it comes to the next big color trend in carpet, it’s all about subtle change. The manufacturers FCW spoke to all agreed that Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet 18-3838, a vibrant mid-tone violet, might show up as an accent but was more of an influence that would warm the carpet palette.

“Neutral beige and gray are moving more to taupe,” said Pam Rainey, vice president soft surface product development at Shaw industries. “and people are drawn to even lighter shades that beige and gray. With public spaces in the home moving to hard surface, private areas-bedrooms-are being carpeted with lighter shades and/or patterns to make persoanl statement,” Rainey reported.

In 2018, shades of blue have been popular as well as “greige” (a blend of gray and beige) noted Maeriel Mumpar, product development and design at Anderson Tuftex. “We were looking to add more color in the line in 2018 and even more in 2019,” said Brittany Stanley, manager of color and design residential at Mohawk Industries. “For Karastan, we introduced Tempting Appeal, a 20-ounce solid color cut pile with a neutral palette including muted shades of blue and turquoise. Whites and creams are still popular as well as lighter shades of neutrals-beige, gray and taupe,” Stanley added.

The Bright Side

The consumer is showing signs of being more receptive to brighter colors. “it used to be that accent color in a style made up three percent of a coloration, now, at the higher end, it is seven percent,” said Stanley.

Couristan’s Marrakesh makes subtle use of Ultra Violet, noted Len Andolino, Couristan’s executive vice president residential. “We tapped into not only the trend-forward color but the tribal/Moroccan influence as well,” Andolino said adding, “We are starting to see sales in some new fun colors again-aquamarine, soft greens and even some warm shades of sunset red.”

Color trends take time to build strength. “Stanton’s Emilio Stripe has a fantastic woven appearance although it’s machine tufted using an all wool loop pile with a modern textured zipper design,” said Jonathan Cohen, CEO, Stanton Carpet. “The blues tones in this product line encompass some of the Ultra Violet influence,” he said.

Vickie Gilstrap, director of design services at the Dixie Group, discussed four trends that influenced styling in 2018. First, “Neutrals are no longer viewed as safe and boring but as a fashion forward statement, “Gilstrap said. The second trend comes from the 70s. Gilstrap explained,

“This trend is moving simultaneously into home fashion (and the runway), with Bohemian looks and colors from 70s. The third influence has been growing for several seasons. The ‘moody deeps‘ brought on with the uncertainty of the envenom, are rich colorways.”

Gilstrap’s last influence refers to textures, luster levels and finishes that are combined to create surface interest and pattern within a single product.

“As we have moved into an age of self-expression and individuality, our consumers no longer want what everyone else is using but have the confidence and self-awareness to make color and design choices based on their own unique personalities”, Gilstrap stressed. “Accept the challenge and choose to see them as an opportunity to design the perfect space.”